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ADHD in Children

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Key points

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  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.
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  • Symptoms start in childhood and often last into adulthood.
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  • Identifying signs and symptoms of ADHD can help lead to a diagnosis, which is a process with several steps.
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  • CDC works with partners to collect data on ADHD, allowing us to better understand diagnosis, treatment patterns, and co-occurring conditions for children and adults with ADHD.
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What it is

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ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disordersA of childhood.

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ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

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\n Find and share ADHD resources using CDC's partner toolkit. \n
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\n Keep Reading \n Other Concerns and Conditions with ADHD \n
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Types

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There are three different ways ADHD presents itself, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual at the time of diagnosis:

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  • Predominantly inattentive presentation
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  • Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation
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  • Combined presentation (a combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms)
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Signs and symptoms

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It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, for children with ADHD the symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

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ADHD symptoms can change over time

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\n Symptoms can change over time and might increase when the demands of daily life increase. The way ADHD symptoms present may change over time as well. \n
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\n Keep Reading \n Symptoms of ADHD \n
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Risk factors

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The causes of ADHD are unknown, but scientists have identified some possible risk factors

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\n Genes play an important role in a person's risk of ADHD. \n
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  • Genetics1
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  • Exposure to environmental risks (for example, lead) during pregnancy or at a young age2
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  • Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy3 and other pregnancy-related factors4
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  • Child health conditions, including head injuries5
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  • Parental mental health6 and family environment7
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\n See Also \n CDC is working to help identify possible risk factors for ADHD \n
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Diagnosis

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If you are concerned about whether your child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit an ADHD diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or by a primary care provider, like a pediatrician.

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\n Talk with a healthcare provider first if you think your child might have ADHD. \n
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There is no single test to diagnose ADHD

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\n Talk with a healthcare provider first. Deciding if someone has ADHD is a process with several steps. Many \n other problems, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms to ADHD. \n
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\n Keep Reading \n Diagnosing ADHD \n
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Treatment and managing symptoms

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In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. What works best can depend on the child and family. Effective treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way.

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\n \"Parents \n
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\n In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. \n
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Managing symptoms: Staying healthy

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Being healthy is important for everyone and can be especially important for people with ADHD. In addition to behavioral therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to deal with ADHD symptoms. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:

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\n Keep Reading \n Treatment of ADHD \n
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What CDC is doing

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CDC works with partners to learn more about ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options to help inform and promote effective strategies. These efforts include collecting, analyzing, and sharing findings from nationally representative data to understand diagnosis, treatment patterns, and co-occurring conditions for children and adults with ADHD. CDC also provides information to states to help guide decision-making.

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CDC funds the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program of CHADD\u2013Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, to support evidence-based resources, trainings, and a live helpline on ADHD for individuals and families, educators, and providers across the US to access. CDC also works with partners to provide free, on-demand education trainings for healthcare providers.

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Helpline information

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\n The NRC operates a call center ( \n 1-866-200-8098) with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD. \n
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\n CDC's latest data on ADHD in U.S. children. \n
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\n Free materials and resources on ADHD. \n
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Resources

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\n Sources and Page Info \n Print \n Share \n
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\n National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities \n
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\n About This Page \n
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\n Published: May 15, 2024 \n
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\n Updated: June 1, 2026 \n

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

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\n Reviewed: July 30, 2026 \n

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.

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  1. Neurodevelopmental. Having to do with the way the brain grows and develops.
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  1. Faraone SV, Banaschewski T, Coghill D, et al. The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;128:789-818.
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  2. Dimitrov LV, Kaminski JW, Holbrook JR, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chemical Exposures and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Prev Sci. 2023;25:225-248.
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  3. Maher BS, Bitsko RH, Claussen AH, et al. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Relationship Between Exposure to Parental Substance Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Prev Sci. 2023;25:291-315.
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  4. Bitsko RH, Holbrook JR, O'Masta B, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prenatal, Birth, and Postnatal Factors Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Prev Sci. 2022;25:203-224.
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  5. So M, Dziuban EJ, Pedati CS, et al. Childhood Physical Health and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Modifiable Factors. Prev Sci. 2022;25:316-336.
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  6. Robinson LR, Bitsko RH, O'Masta B, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Parental Depression, Antidepressant Usage, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Stress and Anxiety as Risk Factors for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children. Prev Sci. 2022;25:272-290.
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  7. Claussen AH, Holbrook JR, Hutchins HJ, et al. All in the Family? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Parenting and Family Environment as Risk Factors for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children. Prev Sci. 2022;25:249-271.
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Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
Source Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Captured Date: 2016-05-23 22:13:56.0
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